The Daily Grind: In the wee small hours
by Krystalle Voecks 
Dec 23rd 2007 at 9:00AM
Filed under: Opinion, The Daily Grind
It seems like no matter what game you come from, one particular thing is pretty universal; the idea of staying up late at night gaming. And before anyone starts in with "OMG, that so isn't me!" -- if there weren't truth at some levels for most of us, phrases such as "one more level" or "just let me finish this quest" wouldn't be so funny. I know speaking personally, I've been up far past my normal bedtime lately (hooray for a break before next term) and my power-fuel of choice is just good old fashioned coffee with some good music going on my headset. I think the walk from my office to the coffee-pot helps, too.
But (assuming you're willing to admit it) if you're one of the late-night set -- even just occasionally -- what's your best method for staying awake when you just have to push through to the other end of that quest or level? Do you like to game with a TV on to keep a certain level of noise going? Are you like me and our very own Moo, ready to buy stock in your respective caffeinated beverage because of your utter addiction to it? Or do you have some other trick to help you stay up through the wee night hours so you can finish up those pesky quests and levels? Alternately, do you think that anyone who puts gaming before sleep needs to switch those two things around?
But (assuming you're willing to admit it) if you're one of the late-night set -- even just occasionally -- what's your best method for staying awake when you just have to push through to the other end of that quest or level? Do you like to game with a TV on to keep a certain level of noise going? Are you like me and our very own Moo, ready to buy stock in your respective caffeinated beverage because of your utter addiction to it? Or do you have some other trick to help you stay up through the wee night hours so you can finish up those pesky quests and levels? Alternately, do you think that anyone who puts gaming before sleep needs to switch those two things around?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Vince said on 9:28AM 12-23-2007
For me, its all about willpower. I rarely use other stimulants to keep me up in the wee hours, I just focus my mind on a goal "Im gonna get that next level, we are gonna finish this instance, Im gonna finish this quest, etc." Its always helpful to have your group mates backing you to, keeping you up as you fight towards that last boss.
But on -rare- occasions I drink "Monster!" energy drinks, those work. And if I get my hands on a Red Bull..thats another story.
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Durinthal said on 10:38AM 12-23-2007
It's more of a mental thing for me. Not so much an "I need to get to the next level" type, but rather "It takes too much effort to get up from the computer and go to bed." A friend of mine called it inertia.
Water and chocolate always help, though. I think I'm weird in that I don't drink any caffeinated beverage (coffee, pop, etc.) but then I don't seem to need it either. I just... stay awake. Of course, I do eventually start falling asleep at the helm, but that's usually well after 20 hours awake.
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GRT said on 10:55AM 12-23-2007
If I'm tired enough that I feel the need for some kind of stimulant to keep me playing, I go to bed.
If its a fun game, though, I don't need stimulants to keep me up much too late.
The idea of having to struggle to stay awake to get something done just seems to me to be something you should be getting paid to do...
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Joshua said on 11:56AM 12-23-2007
I agree somewhat with Vince, as the game itself usually keeps me awake. Although like Durinthal, after about 20 or so hours, coffee or a Full Throttle energy drink can keep me going for another countless number of hours.
In the end it simply comes down to how tired I am lol. One time I had no coffee or energy drinks, so I fell asleep at my keyboard around maybe 5:30 a.m. Other than that one time, the game usually is enough to keep me going.
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Hollywood Ron said on 12:25PM 12-23-2007
I won't be like everyone else and talk about how I shun stimulants. I love them. They get me up in the morning, they keep me awake when I get home, and they keep me up and sharp for gaming. I drink coffee all day at work and diet soda like water at home.
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Seth said on 4:47PM 12-23-2007
I get a 16oz can of Yoohoo (chilled of course) a bag of pretzels and I'm set! Though, if i am particularly tired I tend to go to bed.
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Ghen said on 5:39PM 12-23-2007
I never plan for late nite gaming, so when it does happen I'm very likely to fall asleep and die.
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roxxxo said on 3:14AM 12-24-2007
once in a while i might stay up late gaming, but usually i'll quit a little before bedtime if i'm at a good stopping point
i do remember pulling an all nighter playing the original ape escape back in high school though, that game ruled (and there wasn't a save point in the last level, it took me 5 friggin hours cuz i was half asleep)
wow never really kept me interested enough to stay up late though, i just played it because my friends did, i didn't find it fun most of the time. city of villains was pretty cool though, until you got past lvl 30 and it took forever to gain another level
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